Process for the production of 16alpha-methyl-6-hydrocarbon 17, 20, 20, 21-bis methylene dioxy steroids



3,696,781 Patented May 21, 1963 sponding 6-vinyl-derivative (V) is obtained, which is 3,090,781 then oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give the corre- PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTIDN F Mot-METH- sponding 6-diol (VI). The latter compound is then ggig'ggggggggg METHYL reacted With periodic acid to cleave the 6-diol and give John Fried, Plainfield, Anthony N. Nutile, Elizabeth, and the 6fomyl'derifative (VID- Reduction of (VII) with Glen E. Arth, Cranford, N.J., assignors to Merck 8; f dmrn borohydrlde gives the 6-hydroxymethyl deriva- Co., Inc., Ralrway, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey tive (VIII), which on dehydration with an acidic reagent No Drawing. Filed June 13, 1950, Ser. No. 35,415 such as p-toluenesulfonic acid forms the 6-exomethylene 4 Claimsderivative (1X). Any protecting groups which are prescut at C-l7, or in a side chain attached at the C-17 posiig j ggs ggg i gg ggg ggs gi z ggg3 gf tion of the steroid molecule, may then be removed.

More particularly, it relates to I10V6l-6X0H lthyl6n6-A In first 8gp of our Process the 3'keto'gr 3 9 the steroid-3-ones and -6-exomethylene-A steroid-3-ones and 5u'Stem.ld'36'd1One (Pmtfected at (3-17 mdlcafed to the process of making Such com P 01m d8, Starting with above) is blocked by forming the 3-alkylenedioxy derivaa 5a stemid 3,6 dione tive. In a preferred embodiment of our invention the In accordance with the present invention, we have 3"keto group is protefited by forming the 3'ethylenedioxy found that the novel 6 exomethy1ene A4 ster id 3 derivative. This derivative is prepared by reaction of a can b prepared f the 5o, steroid 3,6 diones by a Procsolution of the steroid in a solvent such as benzene with ess which can be represented as follows, showing the A an equivflent amount of ethylene glycol and pand B rings of the steroid molecule: sulfonic acid for 8-12 hours. The product may be re I I A/ I A B O\ I O o I: v I:

1 \/H\n/ 0 H H O H i 0 o CECH I) (II) (III) O 0 o Q o I O O n CECH OECH (I? (IV-A) (IV-B) (IV-O) O O O O L, O

CH=OH2 CHOH-OHaOH lHO O t O I 1| CHgOE OH:

In this process the 5a-St61'0id-3,6-di0i18 (I) in which covered by washing with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, any oxygen function present at C-l7, or in a side chain drying and concentrating in vacuo. attached at the C-17 position of the steroid molecule, 0 The 3-keto group may also be converted into the 3- is first protected with suitable protecting groups, is conethylenedioxy derivative by exchange dioxolanation, verted into the 3-alkylenedioXy-5asteroid (II). The 3- which involves acid-catalyzed transfer of the ethylene alkylenedioxy-Sa-steroid (II) is then reacted with acetylglycol portion of simple 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-dioxolanes, such ene magnesium bromide to obtain the corresponding 6w as 2,2' dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (acetone ethyleneketal) 0r,

ethynyl-3-a1kylenedioxy5a-steroid-6 3-ol(II). The latter 5 better, 2-methy1-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane (butanone ethylcompound is then dehydrated, for example, with thionyl eneketal), with the 3-ketone steroid either in an inert chloride in pyridine to give the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxysolvent, as benzene, or simply in excess reagent. A -steroid (IV-A), which may be admixed with small Other cyclic ketal derivatives can be used in our procquantities of 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-B) ess for protecting a ketone group at C-3. In general, and 6-([-2]-chloro- [1,2] -propadiene)-3-alkylenedioxy- 7 we have found that the lower alkylenedioxy derivatives, steroid (IV-C) and requires separation therefrom. Upon wherein the hydrocarbon group contains not more than hydrogenation of (IV-A) using a catalyst, the correseven carbon atoms, such as the ethylenedioxy, trimethylcompletion.

enedioxy, propylenedioxy and butylenedioxy derivatives are suitable in carrying out the processes of our invention. However, in place of using a lower alkylenedioxy substituent to block or protect theketo substituent, we can use other derivatives readily hydrolyzable to keto, such as a dialkyl ketal, an enol ether monothioketal, or a dithioketal derivative for this purpose.

-The second step of our process, comprising the reaction of the 3-alkylenedioxy-5a-steroid (H) with acetylene magnesium bromide, is brought about by adding a solution of the steroid in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran to a solution of the acetylene magnesium bromide in the same solvent, while bubbling acetylene through the mixture. For obtaining maximum yields, it is desirable to employ an excess of acetylene magnesium bromide. The reaction takes place by letting the mixture stand for 4-16 hours at room temperature or above. After completion of the reaction, the 6a-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-5a-steroid- 6,8-01 (III) is separated by chromatographing on acidwashed alumina and elution with mixtures of chloroform and ether. The product may be purified by recrystallization. a The third step of our process is effected by dehydrating the 6m-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-5u-steroid-ofi-ol (III), using as the dehydrating agent thionyl chloride, or PCl in a tertiary base such as pyridine. Other tertiary bases suitable for this purpose are the N-alkyl piperidines, collidines, and the trialkylamines. The dehydration is conveniently brought about by adding a solution of freshly distilled thionyl chloride in ice cold pyridine to a solution of the steroid in pyridine, the rate of addition being controlled so as to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture at 30 C. or below. After completion of the reaction, the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid ,(IV;A) is recovered by pouring the ice-cooled mixture into ice water and extracting the resulting aqueous solution with a solvent such as chloroform, benzene, ethyl acetate, meth ylene chloride and the like, drying the extracts and concentrating in vacuo. The product can be purified by recrystallization.

Additional quantities of the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy- A -steroid (IV-A) may be obtained from the mother liquors by chromatography over acid-washed alumina and elution with ether. Elution of the chromatograph with mixtures containing varying quantities of ether and petroleum ether may also yield the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy- A -steroid (IV-B) and the'allene derivative, 6-( [2] chloro- [1,2];propadiene)-3-alkylenedioxy-steroid (IV-C). These to stand at room temperature for about 8 hours. The amount of osmium tetroxide employed is approximately 60% of the theoretical amount, based on the total weight of the crude material.

The osmate is decomposed by adding the reaction mix ture to an aqueous methanol solution containing inorganic salts, for example, potassium bicarbonate and sodium sulfite, distilling off the benzene, adding more rneth-v anol to the mixture and refluxing for several hours. The product is recovered by filtering the solution, andextracting with a solvent such as chloroform. The solvent layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo of the crude diol with an equivalent amount of periodic acid in a solution containing an aqueous mixture of pyridine and methanol at approximately room temperature for 30-60 minutes. The product is recovered by pouring the reaction mixture into an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, and extracting with a solvent such as chloroform. The solvent layer is washed with water, dried and a concentrated to give a crystalline material which is the 6-formyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (VII). Any contamination of the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV- A) with the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-B) formed as a by-product in the third step of our process will result in the recovery of some 6-formyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid in the 6th step of the process. The 6-formyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid is a useful intermediate in the production of steroids having valuable physiological properties. n

Reduction of the 6-formyl-derivative (VII) to the 6- hydroxymethyl-derivative (VIII) in the seventh step of i our process is brought about preferably with sodium boroby-products are useful intermediates in the production of steroids having valuable physiological properties.

In the fourth step of our process, the 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-A) is hydrogenated to the corresponding fi-vinyl-derivative with the use of a catalyst, for example, the Lindlar catalyst (lead de-activated palladium on a calcium carbonate support). The 6-ethynyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (IV-A), dissolved in a suitable solyent, such as ethyl acetate, is hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure at about 23 C. To obtain maximum yields, the

catalyst is added in separate portions as thehydrogenation proceeds, since the rate of hydrogenation slows down after a time, due to poisoning of the catalyst. Filtration of the spent catalyst before the addition of the final portion of the catalyst aids in carrying the hydrogenation to After the completion of the reaction, the mixture is filtered and concentrated to obtain the 6-vinyl- 3-alkylenedioxy-A steroid (V), which can be used without further purification in the'next step of the synthesis. 4 In the fifth step of our reaction, the crude 6-viny1-3- type of steroid compounds, but is an effective procedure a alkylenedioxy n steroid (V) is oxidized to the 6-([1,2]-

ethanediol)-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (VI). The oxidahydride. 'A solution of the steroid in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran is stirred at room temperature with a solution of sodium borohydride in water. The product is recovered by pouring into a solution of sodium dihydrogenphosphate in water, and extracting with a solvent, for example, chloroform. The solvent layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from a solvent such as benzene gives the 6-hydroxymethyl-3-alkylene-dioxy-A5-steroid.

In the eighth step of our synthesis, dehydration'of the 6-hydroxymethyl-group, together with simultaneous removal of the 3-alkylenedioxy-group, results in the conversion of the 6-hydroxymethyl-3-alkylenedioxy-A -steroid (VIII) into the o-exomethylene-A -steroid-3-one (IX). This reaction is readily brought about by reaction of a solution of the 6-hydroxymethyl-steroid (VIII) with p-toluenesulfonic acid and letting the mixture stand at room temperature for several hours. The product is recovered by pouring the mixture into ice Water and .then extracting the resulting aqueous solution with a solvent such as chloroform or ethyl acetate.

The process of forming the 6-exornethylene derivatives of the A -steroid-3-ones is not limited to any particular for steroid compounds generally, and includes especially steroids of the androstane and pregnane series, provided that any oxygen function present at 0-17, or in a side.

mation of 'the l7u,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy derivative, the removal of the bis-methylenedioxy function is accomplished with aqueous organic acids such as formic or acetic acids.

In a preferred embodiment of our invention, the 6- exomethylene-l7u,20,20,2l-bis-methyleuedioxy 4 pregnene3-one is heated on a steam bath for about minutes with 60% aqueous formic acid to give the 6-exomethylenei-pregnene-17a,21=diol-3,20-dione in 50 to 75% yields. The organic phase is washed with dilute alkali, dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the crystalline product. The non-crystalline material may be recovered as the corresponding Zl-acetate after first cleaving any formate esters present, suitably by reaction with sodium methylate in methanol, recovering the product, and then acetylating with acetic anhydride and pyridine.

Alternately, heating the 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioXy-derivative with 50% acetic acid at 100 C. for 7 hours, followed by acetylation and chromatography, gives the 6 exomethyleuel-pregnene-17a,11,8,21-triol-3,20-dione-21-acetate in 506()% yields.

Following the procedure set forth above, 6-exornethylene-4-pregnene-11,8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione and the corresponding ZI-acetate are prepared 'by the following steps: 17a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioxy-Sethylenedioxy 5apreguane-6,1l-dione is reacted with acetylene magnesium bromide to give 6cc-ethynyl-l7a,2 ),2 ),2l-bis-rnethylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-5u-pregnane-6 3-ol-1l-one, which is dehydrated with thionyl chloride in pyridine at C. or below to form 6-ethynyl-17c ,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioXy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one and also smail quantities of 6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioXy-6-pregnene-1l-one and 6( [2]chloro-[1,2]-propadiene) -l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioXy5-pregnane-11-one. The 6-ethynyl-17 a,Z0,20,21-bismethylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-11 one is separated from 6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-S-ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-1l-one and 6( [21chloro- [1,2]-propadiene)-17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-S- ethylenedioxy-pregnane-ll-one by chromatography on acid-washed alumina, and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate. The 6-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l one dissolved in ethyl acetate, is then hydrogenated, using a Lindlar catalyst, at atmospheric pressure at about 2025 C., to give 6-vinyl-170,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioXy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one. The latter compound is oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give 6( [1,21-ethane- .diol)-17a,20,20,2l-bis-rnethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy- S-pregnene-l l-one, which is then cleaved with periodic acid to yield 6-formyl-17u,20,20,2i-bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-6-formyl 17u,20,20,21 bismethylenedioXy-3 -e thylenedioxy-l l-one.

The 6forrnyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one is converted into the 6-iydroxymethyl-l7a,20,20,2.1-bis-methylenediox -3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l lfi ol, by contacting with sodium borohydnide for about 6t; hours at room temperature. The 6 hydroxymethyl 17a,20,20,2l-bisqnethylenedioxy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l1 3-01 is converted into 6-exomethylene 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxyl-pregnene- 115-ol-3-one by reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The fi-exomethylene 17u,2(),20,21-bis-rnethylenedioxyl-preguene-1lfi-ol- 3-one is transformed into 6-eXomethylene-4-pregnene- 11B,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 6- exomethylene 4 pregnene-l15,17a,21-t1iol-3,20-dione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l 1 5, l7u,2l-triol-3 ,ZO-dione 2 l-acetate by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

The 6 exomethylenel-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,11,20- trione and the corresponding Z'l-acetate are prepared by converting the 17a,20,20,21-bis:methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-M-pregnane-Qll-dione into the 6-formyl-17oz,- 20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-S-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one as indicated above. The latter compound is then converted into the 6-hydroxymethyl-17u,20,20,21- bis methylenedioXy-3ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one by contacting with sodium borohydride for about 50 minutes at room temperature. The 6-hydroxymethyl 17a,20,20,2l bis methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-5- pregnene-ll-ol is converted into 6-exomethylene-l7a,20,- 20,2lbis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione by reaction with p-toiuenesulfonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The 6-exomethylene-17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioXy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione is transformed into 6-exomethylene-4-pregneue-170;,21-di0l-3,11,2O-trione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 6-exomethylenet-pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 6-exomethylenei-pregnene-170:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione-2l-acetate by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any for-mate esters, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

Following the procedure set forth above, 16u-tmethyl- 6 exomethylenel-pregnene-11,8,17a,21-trio1-3,20-dione and the corresponding ZI-acetate are prepared by the following steps: Mot-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-rnethylenedi- OXY 3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,11-dione is reacted with acetylene magnesium bromide to give Mot-methyl- 60c ethynyl-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S m-pregnane-65-ol-l1-one, which is dehydrated with thionyl chloride in pyridine 'at 30 C. or below to form 15a methyl-S-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy- 3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one and also small quantities of 16a-methyl-6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-G-prcgnene-11-one and 16amethyl 6([2]-chloro-[1,21-propadiene)-17a,20,20,2lhis metbylenediox -3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnane-1l-one. The 16amethyl-6-ethynyl-17a,2(),20,21-bis-methylened-i oxy-3-ethylencdioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one is separated from the lay-products by chromatography on acid-washed alumina, and purified by recrystallization from ethyl acetate. The 16a-rnethy1-6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l-bisamethylenedioxy-3ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one, dissolved in ethyl acetate, is then hydrogenated, using a Lindlar catalyst, at atmospheric pressure at about 2025 C., to give methyl 6-vinyl-l7a,20,20,21-bis-methy1enedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one. The latter compound is oxidized with osmium tetroxide to give 16a-methyl-6- ([1,2] ethanediol)-l7a,20,20,2l-bisamethylenediox-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one, which is then cleaved with periodic acid to yield l6a-methyl-6-formyl-17a,20, 20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnenell-one.

The 160: methyl-6-formyl-17a,20,2(),2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1l-one is converted into the 16a methyl-6-hydroxymethyl-17a,20,2(),21-bismethylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-Spregnene-1lfi-ol, by contacting with sodium borohydride at room temperature for about 50 minutes. The 16u-methyl-6-hydroxymethyl- 17u,20,20,2l bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-llB-ol is transformed into l6u rnethyl-6-exomethylene 17a,2(),20,2l-bis-methylenedioXy-4-pregnene-l IB-ol- 3-one by reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The l6oc-H1Erl1jl-6-BXO- methylene 17m,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnenellfi-ol-B-one is converted into 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene 4-pre-gnene-l1B,17a,2l-triol-3,20dione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 16c:-methyl-fi-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 115,17u,21-triol-3,20-dione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 16tit-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l1e,17a,21-triol-3,ZO-dione-Zl-acetate by reaction first with sodium rnethoxide in methanol to cleave any formate ester-s, recovering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

The 160: methyl 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione and the corresponding 21- acetate are prepared by converting the 17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy oz pregnane 6, ll-dione into the 16rx-methyl-6-fiormyl-171x,20,2O,21-b1s- 'methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 -pregnene 11- one as indicated above. The latter compound is then converted into the 16a methyl-6-hydroxymethyl-l7a,20, 20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-ll-one by' contacting with sodium bonohydride for about 50 minutes at room temperature. The 160:- methyl 6 hydroxy-methyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-11-01 is converted into 16ocmethyl-6-exomethylene-17a,20,20,21-bis-methyl enedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione by reaction with p-toluenesulfonic acid at room temperature for several hours. The 16oc-methyl-6-exornethylene-17a,20,20,21-bis-methyl enedioxy-4-pregnene3,1l-dione is transformed into the 16a methyl 6 exomethylene -.4 pregnene 170:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione by heating with 60% formic acid on a steam bath. The crystalline material is the 16a-methyl: 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene 17oc,21 diol 3,11,20- trione. The non-crystalline material is recovered as the 160: methyl 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene 170:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol to cleave any formate esters, re-

, covering the product, and acetylating with acetic anhydride in pyridine.

The 160: methyl l7oc,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,11-dione used as the starting material for the above reaction can be prepared by reacting 16ccrnethylcortisone' with formalin and concentrated HCl to give l6ui-methyl-17m,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,l1-dione. The latter compound is converted into 16a methyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3- ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-ll-one on reaction withethylene glycol and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The 16a-methyl l7oc,20,20,21 1 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-11-one is oxidized with perbenzoic acid to give a mixture of the 16a-methyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 50c pregnane 5,6 oxides, which onrreaction sequentially with formic acid and then with potassium hydroxide solution gives 16a methyl 17oc,2(},20,21 bis methylenedioxy 50cpregnane-3,6,11-trione. The latter compound is reacted with butanone dioxolane to give l6ot-methyl-17a,20,20, 21-bis-methylenedioxy-Swpregnane-6,l l-dione.

' The novel 6-exornethylene-4-pregnene-11,19,l7o ,2l-triol- 3,20-dione, the .16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 115,17a,21-trio1-3,20-dione, and the 21-acetates thereof, maybe dehydrogenated at O1 to form the corresponding 1,4-pregnadienes by the use of selenium dioxide, or by microbiologicalmethods. A e

The novel 6-exomethylene A -pregnene-3-ones and the 6-exomethylene-A -pregnadiene-3-ones possess high antiinfiammatory activity, and are especially eifectiv'e for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases, since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in low dosage, thereby minimizing undesirable side effects.

' A further embodiment of our invention comprises novel pharmaceutical compositions containing these 6-exomethylene-A -steroid3-ones and 6-exomethylene-A steroid-3-ones. The following examples illustrate methods of carrying but the present invention but it is to be'understood that these examples are given forpurposes of illustration and not of limitation: v V 7 Example 1 bled through a solution of tetrahydrof-uran for about 1 hour to form a saturated solution. The ethyl magnesium bromide is then added at a temperature of 40-60 C. over "a period of 0.5 hour to the saturated solutionof acetylene in tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture is kept at room tem- 11 oneperature for an additional 2 hours, during which time the acetylene flow is continued. A solution of 18 got 17m,

20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5apregnane-6,ll-dione in 200 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is then added to the acetylene magnesium bromide fora period of 0.3 hour and the resulting solution is kept at room temperature over night, the acetylene flow being discontinued 3.2 hours after the addition of the steroid (7 hours total from the start). The reaction mixture is then poured into 2 liters of water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product is chromatographed onacid-washed alumina. Elution with mixtures of chloroform and ether, and crystallization from ethyl acetate yields 17.2 g. of 60a A solution of 'thionyl chloride in pyridine is prepar by adding 7.3 cc. of freshly distilled thionyl chloride to 36 cc. of ice cold anhydrous pyridine. This is added dropwise to a stirred solution of 6u-ethynyl-17a,20,20,2l bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 50c pregnane 613-01-1 l-one in 42 cc. of pyridine. The rate of addition is controlled so to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture at 30 C. or below. The solution is stirred an additional 0.5 hour, cooled'in ice and poured into ice water. The mixture is extracted with chloroform, washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from ether afiords 2.64 g. of 6-ethynyl-17u,20,.

20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy- 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-ll-one which decomposes at ZOO-207 C. The

sample for analysis, recrystallized from ether, has the' The mother liquors are chromatographedbn acid- Washed alumina. Elution with a 5:5 mixture of ether and petroleum ether aifords 331 mg. of -6-( [2]chloro- [1,2] propadiene) 17a,2*0,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnane-1l-one, M.P. 176-210 C.

Two crystallizations from methanol afiords an analytij cal sample, which has the following properties: decomposes at 239-248 C.; e5 '157 (c. 0.5 CHCl Cal culated for C27H350qClI C, 63.96; H, 6.96; Cl, 7.02. Found: C, 63.67; H, 7.11; Cl, 7.06.

Further elution with mixtures of ether and petroleum ether gives a product which shows ultraviolet absorption at 224 me. This is considered to be the G-ethynyl- '17oa,20,20,21, bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy- G-pregnene-Ll-one.

Elution with ether affords an additional 087 grof 6 ethynyl 17a,2(),20,21 bis methylenedioxy '3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one decomposing at 194- 204 C., atotal of 3.51 g. (56%).

Example 3 methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene 11- one in cc. of 23 C. using 3.15 g. of Lindlar catalyst, which is added in 3 separate 1.05 g. portions: (1) at the beginning of the hydrogenation, '(2) after about 20 minutes, and (3) after about 40 minutes, after first filtering ofi the spent catalyst. A total of about 177 cc.

of hydrogen is absorbed, the calculated amount being 189 cc. The solution is filtered and concentrated. The crude diene, 6-vinyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3- 'ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one, showed the. following properties: U.V. max. 238 mu, 11,600; 242 mu, 511,600;

The unpurified material may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina followed by recrystallization.

Example 4 A solution consisting of 3.8 g. of the crude 6-vinyl- 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy- -pregnene-1l-one and 1.23 g. of OsO (60% of the amount calculated for the pure steroid) in 100 cc. of benzene is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The black osmate is transferred to a flask containing 150 cc. each of water and methanol, and g. each of potassium bicarbonate and sodium sulfite. The benzene is removed by distillation, 200 cc. of methanol is added, and reflux is continued for a total of 4.5 hours. The solution is filtered and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the 6 ([1,2]-ethanediol)- 170:,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy- 5-pregnene-6fl-ol-11-one. The unpurified material may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina.

Example 5 The 6 ([1,2] ethanediol) 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one is cleaved by reaction of -3.9 g. of the crude diol with 3.8 g. of periodic acid in "a solution consisting of 90 cc. methanol, 90 cc. pyridine and 90 cc. of Water. The solution is maintained at room temperature for 45 minutes (there is an initial temperature rise) and poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is extracted with chlo roform and the chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated. Trituration with ether affords 2.2 g. of crude crystalline material, M.P. 2002l0 C. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affords 0.80 g. (22%) of 6 formyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l one, which has the following properties: M.P. 235245 C.; M 164 (c. 0.8 OHCl U.V. APSE 252 In 6 11,600

Calculated for C H O C, 65.80; H, 7.22. Found: C, 65.74; H, 7.06.

Crystallization of the mother liquors gives 60 mg. of 6 formyl 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-ll-one which decomposes at 280- 310 C. The formation of this compound is presumably due to the presence of some 6-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-6-pregnene-1l-one as a contaminant of the 6-ethyny -17o:,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenediox -5-pregnene-ll-one of Example 2. A sample for analysis, after recrystallization from ethyl acetate, has the following properties: decomposes at 350 C. (1 +10 (c. 0.5 dioxane);

U.V. A135,? 232 m 611,300

Analysis.-Calculated for C H O C, 65.80; H, 7.22. Found (approximately): C, 66.19; H, 6.77.

Example 6 A solution of 0.94 g. of 6-formyl-17a,20,20,2l-hismethylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one in 50 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is treated with a solution of 1.0 g. sodium borohydride in 10 cc. of water. The two-phase system is stirred for 64 hours at room temperature and then poured into 6.0 g. of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in 100 cc. of water. The suspension is extracted with chloroform and the organic phase is Washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from benzene affords 0.56 g. (60% yield) of 6-hydroxymethyll7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy 5- pregnene-llfi-ol, Ml. 220-230 C. The sample for analysis after crystallization twice from benzene has the following properties: MP. 221-230; 1x 107 (C l 10 CHCl Calculated for 0 1-1 0 C, 65.25; H, 8.00. Found: C, 65.60; H, 8.22.

A solution of 135 mg. of 6-hydroxymethyl-l7oc,20,20, 21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy S-pregnene- -01 and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 15 cc. of acetone is allowed to stand at room temperature over night. The solution is poured into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and concentrated. Crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 95 mg. (79% yield) of 6-exornethylene-l7a,20,20,21- bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-ll 3-ol-3-one, MP. 221- 228" C. The sample for analysis is crystallized twice from ethyl acetate and has the following properties; 232 C.; +139 (C l CHCI U.V. max 262 mu 6 9,900. Analysis.Calculated for C I-1 0 C, 69.21; H, 7.74. Found: C, 69.83; H, 7.94.

Example 7 A suspension of 550 mg. of 6-formyl-l7a,20,20,2lbis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene 11 one, and 550 mg. or" sodium borohydride in 27 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 5.4 ml. of water is stirred for 50 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water containing 6 g. of sodium dihydrogen phosphate, extracted with chloroform, dried and concentrated. Two crystaliizations from ethyl acetate affords a sample for analysis of 6-hydroxymethyl-17a,20,20,2lbis methylenedioxy 3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one, MP. 195l99 C.; 01 69 (C 1 CHCig). Calculated for C H O C, 65.53; H, 7.61. Found: C, 66.01; H, 7.64.

A solution of mg. of 6-hydroxymethyl-l7a,20,20, 21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-1 l-one, and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, extracted with chloroform, dried and concentrated. Two crystallizations from ethyl acetate-ether afford a sample of 6 exomethylene-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-mcthylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione, M.P. 197-201 C.; (x +201 (c. 0.9 CHCl Calculated for C l-I O C, 69.54; H, 7.30. Found: C, 69,83; H, 7.08.

Example 8 A suspension of 0.26 g. of 6-exomethylene-l7a,20,20, 21-bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-11fi-ol-3-one in 8 cc. 60% aqueous formic acid is heated on the steam bath for 20 minutes. The resulting solution is cooled, poured into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The organic phase is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from ethyl acetate affords 30 mg. of 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene- 1lfl,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione, which has the following properties: M.P. 203 C.; +256 (0.5 dioxane);

U.V. A1352 262 m 610,300

To mg. of the non-crystalline material is added 2 ml. of methanol and 0.10 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide. The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes under an atmosphere of nitrogen in order to cleave any formate esters. After the addition of 2 drops of acetic acid, the material is poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform phase is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting gum is acetylated with 2.1 cc. of pyridine and 2.0 cc. of acetic anhydride at room temperature overnight. The solution is poured into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform phase is dried and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on 10 g. of acid-washed alumina, elution with mixtures of chloroform and ether and crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 42 mg. of 6-exomethylene-4- pregnene-l1B,170:,2l-triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate. The analytical sample, after crystallization from ethyl acetate,

has the following properties: M.P. 199-204"; +293 (c. 0.8 CHCI U.V. E22 262 my, 11,400

Calculated for 11 0 C, 69.21; H, 7.74. Found: C, 69.00; H, 7.63.

The 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-17u,21-diol-3,11,20-trione and the corresponding Zl-acetate are prepared from the 6 exomethylene-17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy- 4 pregnene-3,l1-dione following the above procedures, but starting with the G eXOmethylene-17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,ll-dione in place of the 6- exomethylene l7u,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 4- pregnene-l l B-ol-S -one.

Example 9 To 100 mg. of 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-llB,17u,21- triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate in m1. of t-butanol and 0.1 m1 of acetic acid is added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is refluxed under nitrogen for 18 hours; then 50 mg. of selenium dioxide is added and the mixture is refluxed an additional 24 hours. The product is filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue is extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract is washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium'sulfide, dilute ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The extract is treated with activated charcoal and then concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from a mixture of acetone and ether gives 6 exomethylene 1,4 pregnadiene 115,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione-21-acetate. V

The 6 exomethylene 1,4 pregnadiene 170:,21- diol-3,11,20-trione:2l-acetate is prepared from the 6-exomethylenel-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3, 33,20-trione 21-ace tate following the above procedure but starting with the 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene l7a,21 diol 3,11,20- trione Ill-acetate in place of the 6-exomethyleue-4-pregnene-l1,8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

I Example I Septomyxa afi'z'nis (ATCC 6737) is inoculated from a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 ml. of the following medium: 2% Edamin (Sheflield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. After i a '48 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of 6-exomethyl- 'ene-4-pregnene-11B,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione is added to each shake flask as a dimethylformamide solution (100 V rng./ml.). After a conversion period of 24 hours, the

21-triol-3,20-d-ione is readily crystallized from the con- I k ene, 4 pregnene 11,3,17oz,21 -'triol 3,20 dione is added to each shake flask a dimethylformamide solution (100 rug/ml). After a conversion period of 24 hours, the cells are removed by filtration, followed by three successive extractions with equal volume of ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo. V The 6 exomethylene 1,4 pregnadiene 116,170c, 2l-triol-3,20-dione is readily crystallized from the concentrate. Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formamide as the stationary phase" and chloroform as the mobile phase, shows some of the steroid substrate, but is largely the somewhat more polar A'-dehydrogenation product.

The 6 exomethylene 1,4 pregnadiene 17u,21- diol-3,11,20-trione is prepared from the 6-exomethylene- 4-pregnene-l7u,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione following the above procedures, but starting with the 6 exomethylene-4-preg nene-17m,21-diol-3,11,20-trione in place of the 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-1lfi,17a,2l-triol 3,20-dione.

Corynebacterium simplex (ATCC 6946) is inoculated from a slant to one or more 250 ml. shake flasks'containing a medium having the composition: 1 g./liter yeast extract (Difco). 28 0., 10 mg. of 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l15,17a, 2l-triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate is added to each flask as a dimethylformamide solution (100 mg./ml.). After a 24 hour transformation period at 28 C the cells are centrifuged, followed by three ethyl acetate extracts of the cell-free broth. The extracts are combined and con centrated in vacuor The 6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-l 1B,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione-21-acetate is crystallized directly from the concentrate. Paper chromatography of the product in a systemutilizing formamide as the stationary phase and chloroform-benzene (1:1) as the mobile phase indicates that the product possesses a polarity'slightly greater than the substrate.

The. 6 exomethylene 1,4 pregnadiene 170:,21- V diol 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate is prepared from the 6- exomethylene 4 pregnene 170:,21 diol 3,11,20- trione-21-acetate following the'aboye procedure, but starting with the 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene 1701,21- diol-3,1l,20-trione Zl-acetate in place of the 6-exomethylene 4 pregnene 11fi,17a,21 triol 3,20 dione 21- acetate.

- Example 11' To a solution of 1 32 g. of 16a-methyl-cortisone in 5 litres of chloroform is added 1300ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 1300 ml. of 37% formalin. The resulting system is stirred for' 76 hours at room tem perature. The aqueous layer is separated and discarded. The chloroform layer is Washed wtih aqueous sodium bicarbonate until neutral, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. A slurry of the residue in hot methanol affords crude crystalline l6ot-methyl-17a,20,20, 21- bis-methylenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,ll-dione. The latter compound is separated by filtration, washed once with methanol and recrystallized from the minimum amount of methylene chloride by addition of methanol. The yield of 16oc-methyl-17u,2'0,2-0,2Lbis-methylenedioxy-L pregnene-3,l1-dione, is -70%. It has the following properties: M.P. 244250 C.,

max.

(Found: 0, 69.29; H, 7.70. Calculated-for C rgo. 0,

in vacuo. The crude product is adsorbed on 400g. of

acid-washed alumina from benzene. Elution with 1:1 ether-petroleum ether yields 8.5 g. (47%) of product, M.P. ZOO-210 C. The analytical sample of l6a-n1ethyl- 170c,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3 ethylenedioxy-5-pregnene-ll-one is crystallized from methanol. It has the following properties: M.P. 211-220" C. (Found: C,- 67.99;

H, 8.07. Calculated for C H O C, 67.80;'H, 7.88%),

A'solution containing 16.5 g. of 16a'-methyl-17a,20,20, 21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethyIenediOXy-S-pregnene-I1- one and 45 meq. of perbenzoic acid in'a total volume of 350 ml. of benzene is stored in the dark room at 25 C.-

After an 18 hour growth phase at V for 45 hours. The solution is decanted from some crystalline product, Washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over sodium sulfate. Concentration in vacuo yields an additional quantity of the mixed oxides. Chromatography on iluorosil, using acetone in hexane, separates the isomers. The 16amethyl l7a,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy 5,604 oxido-Sm-pregnane-ll-one has the following properties: M.P. 236243 C. (Found: C, 65.27; ii, 7.45. Calculated for CzgHg OsI C, PL [(111 -95 (in CHCl The mixed oxides, l6u-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-rnethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S,6u-oxide-5a-pregnane-llone and 1ot-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3- ethylenedioxy-5,6fl-oxide-pregnane-l l-one, are dissolved in 300 cc. of 98l00% formic acid at room temperature and allowed to stand 2.5 hours. The solution is poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo.

The crude mixed formates dissolved in 1400 cc. of methanol are refluxed 0.5 hour under nitrogen with a solution consisting of 27 g. of potassium hydroxide and 135 cc. of water. The cooled solution is neutralized with 37 cc. of acetic acid and concentrated in vacuo at 30 C. The resulting solution is poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from methanol yields the l6a-methyl-l7a,20,20,2l-his-rnethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-3,6,l l-trione.

A solution consisting of 125 mg. of p-toluene-sulfonic acid in 2 cc. of butanone dioxolane is added to a boiling suspension containing 4.94 g. of the l6a-'nethyl-l7ot,20,20, 2 l-bis-methylenedioxy-5rt-pregnane-3,6,l l-trione in 1 cc. of butanone dioxolane. After a reflux period or" minutes, the reaction mixture is cooled quickly in an icebath, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The mate-rial is purified by chromatography to yield the 16mmethyl 17a,20,20,21 bis-rnethylenedioxy-3-ethylened-ioxy-5a-pregnane-6,1 l-dione.

Example 12 A solution of ethyl magnesium bromide is prepared from 20 g. of magnesium and 80 cc. of ethyl bromide in 200 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. Acetylene is bubbled through a solution of tetrahydrofuran for about 1 hour to form a saturated solution. The ethyl magnesium bromide is then added at a temperature of -50" C. over a period of 0.5 hour to the saturated solution of acetylene in tetrahydrofuran, and the mixture is kept at room temperature for an additional 2 hours, during which time the acetylene flow is continued. A solution of 18 g. of 16a methyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-B-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6J1-dione in 200 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is then added to the acetylene magnesium bromide for a period of 0.3 hour and the resulting solution is kept at room temperature over night, the acetylene flow being discontinued 3.2 hours after the addition of the steroid (7 hours total from the start). The reaction mixture is then poured into 2 liters of water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in. vacuo. The crude product is chromatographed on acidwashed alumina. Elution with mixtures of chloroform and ether, and crystallization from ethyl acetate, yields 16a methyl 6a-ethynyl-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenediox -5a-pregnane-6,8-ol-1l-one.

Example 13 A solution of thionyl chloride in pyridine is prepared by adding 7.3 cc. of freshly distilled thionyl chloride to 36 cc. of ice cold anhydrous pyridine. This is added dropwise to a stirred solution of Mix-methyl-17a,20,20,2l-

anol, cc. pyridine and 9 cc. of water.

idbis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5a pregnane 6/3- ol-l l-one in 42 cc. of pyridine. The rate of addition is controlled so as to maintain the temperature of the reaction mixture at 30 C. or below. The solution is stirred an additional 0.5 hour, cooled in ice and poured into ice water. The mixture is extracted with chloroform, washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from ether aifords 6a-methyl-6-ethynyl-17a,20,20,21- bis methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-l 1- one.

The mother liquors are chromatographed on acid- Washed alumina and eluated with mixtures of ether: etroleum ether to give 16d-11'llhy1-6-([2]-Cl1lOIO-[1,2]- propadiene-17u,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy S-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnane-ll-one and l6a-methyl-6-ethynyl 17cc, 20.20.12Lbis-methylenediox -3-ethylenedioxy 6 pregnene-ll-one. Elution with ether gives an additional quantity of 16a methyl 6 ethynyl-17a,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one.

Example 14 -may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina followed by recrystallization.

Example 15 A solution consisting of 3.8 g. of the crude 16ccmethyl 6 vinyl-17a,20,20,2l-bis methy1enedioxy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene 11 one and 1.23 g. of OsO (60% of the amount calculated for the pure steroid) in cc. of benzene is allowed to stand at room temperature over night. The black osmate is transferred to a flask containing cc. each of water and methanol, and 15 g. each of potassium bicarbonate and sodium sulfite. The benzene is removed by distillation, 200 cc. of meth anol is added, and reflux is continued for a total of 4.5 hours. he solution is filtered and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the 16cc methyl-6- [1,2}-ethanediol)-l7a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-Gfi-ol-ll-one. The unpurified material may be used directly in the next step, or it may be purified by chromatography on alumina followed by recrystallization.

Example 16 The 1605 methyl-6-([l,2]-cthanediol 17u,ZO,20,2'1- bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-ll-one is cleaved by reaction of 3.9 of the crude diol with 3.8 g. of periodic acid in a solution consisting of 90 cc. meth- The solution is maintained at room temperature for 45 minutes (there is an initial temperature rise) and poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is extracted with chloroform and the chloroform layer is Washed with Water, dried and concentrated. Trituratiou with ether affords a crude crystalline material which on recrystallization from ethyl acetate afiords the l6a-methyl-6formyl- 17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy 5- pregnene-l l-one.

Example 17 A solution of 0.94 g. of 16tt-methy1-6-formyl-l7u,20, 20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene- 15 ll-one in 50 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is treated with a solution of 1.0 g. sodium borohydride in 10 cc. of water. The two-phase system is stirred into 6.0 g. of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in 100 cc. of water. The suspension is extracted with chloroform and the organic phase is washed with water dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystallization from benzene affords 16a-methyl-6-hy- 'droxymethyl-17a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3- ethylenedioxy S-pre'gnene-l 113-01.

A solution of 135 mg. of 16u-methyl-17u,20,20,21-bismethylenedioxy-3ethylenedioxy 5 pregnene-l lfi-ol and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 15 cc. of acetone is allowed to stand at room temperature over night. The solution ispoured into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and concentrated. Crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 16oc-methy1-6- excmethylene 17oz,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy-4- pregnene-l 11S-o1-3-one. a

Example 18 r A suspension of 550 mg. of 16a-methyl-6-formy1-17e, 20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one, and 550 mg. of sodium borohydride in 27 of tetrahydrofuran and 5.4 ml. of water is stirred for bxy-S-pregnene-l l-one.

A solution of 125 mg. of 16a-methyl-6-hydroxy-methyl- 'l7a,20,20,21 bis methylenedioxy 3 ethylenedioxy '5-1pregnene-1l-one, and 15 mg. 'p-toluenesulfonic acid is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is poured into aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution extracted with chloroform, dried and concentnated. Two crystallizations from ethyl acetatee'ther afford a sample of 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-17u, 20,20,21-bis methylenedioxy=4-pregnene-3,1 l-dione.

Example 19 A suspension of 0.26 g. of 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene- 17oz,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy 4 pregnene-ll 8-01-3- one in 8 cc. of 60% aqueous formic acid is heated on the steam .bath for 20 minutes. The resulting solution is cooled, poured into ice water and extracted 'with'chloro- :form. The organic phase is washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and concentrated in vacuo. Crystal 'lization from ethyl acetate aifords .16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-1 1,8,17a,21-t1'iOl-3,20-di0116.

, T 17 mg. of the non-crystalline material is added 2 ml. of methanol and 0.10 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide.

The mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 15' minutes under an atmosphereof nitrogen in order to cleave any formate esters. After the addition of 2 drops .of acetic acid, the-material is poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform phase is washed with water, dried and concentrated'in vacuo. The

resulting gum is acetylated with 2.1 cc. of pyridine and 2.0 cc. acetic anhydride at room temperature overnight.

The solution is poured into ice water and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform phase is dried and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on g. of acid- Washed alumina, elution with mixtures of chloroforrn and ether and crystallization from ethyl acetate gives 16w .rnethyl 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene 11fi,17a,21-triol- .3,20dione acetate.

The 1601 methyl 6 exomethy1ene-4-pregnene-17a,21-

diol-3-,11,20-trione and the corresponding Z-I-acetate are prepared from the 16 +methyl 6-exomethylene-17a,20,20, 21 bis 7 methylenedioxyt-pre gnene-3,11-dione following the above procedures, but starting with the l6umethyl-6- 'exomethylene l7.a ,20,20,2=1 bis-methylenedioxy 4-preg- 16 nene-3,l1-dione in place of the 16u-methyl-6-exomethyiene 17a,20,20,21 bis rnethylenedioxy-4-pregnene-l1B- ol-3-one.

Example 20 To 100 mg. of 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-*4pregnene- 11,6, l'7a,21-triol-3,20-dione-21acetate in 5 6111.065 t-butanol and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid is added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture is refluxed under nitrogenfor 18 hours; then 50 mg. of selenium dioxide is added and the mixture is refluxed an additional 24 hours. The product is filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to dryness. The residue is extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract is washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfide, di-lu-te ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water, and then dried over magnesium sulfate. The extract is treated with activated charcoal and then concentrated to dryness. Crystal-lization of the residue from a mixture of acetone and ether gives 160a methyl 6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-1113, 17u,2l-tricl-3,20-dione-21-acetate.

The 1600 methyl--exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-17a, 21-diol-3,1l,20-trione-21-acetate is prepared from the 160: methyl 6 exomethylene 4 pregnene 1711,21

diol-3,l1,20-trione-21acetate following the above procedure, but starting with the 1oer-methyl-6-exomethylene-4- pregnene-l7a,21-diol-3,l1,20-trione-2l-acetate in place of the 160: methyl-'6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-11,6,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione-2l-acetate.

Example 21.

Septomyxa affinis (ATCC 6737) is inoculated from a slant into one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing 50 ml. of the following inediumz 2% Edamin (Sheflield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5% corn steep liquor. After (a 48 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of l6a-methyl-6- exomethylene 4-pregenne-11;8,'17a,21-triol-3,20=dione is added to each shake flask as a dimethylformamide solution (100 mg./ml.). After a conversion period of 24 ,hours, the cells are removed by filtration, [followed by three successive extractions with equal volumes of ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo.

The 160: methyl-6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-11 3,

' 50 ml. of the following medium: 2% Edamin (Sheflield Farms), 5% glucose, and 0.5 corn steep iiquon. After a 24 hour incubation at 28 C., 10 mg. of 6-exomethylene-l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-11p,17u,21-tnio1-3,20 dione is added to each shake flask as a dimethylfonnamide solution mg./ml.). After a conversion period of 24 hours, the cells are removed by filtration, followed by three successive extractions with equal volume of ethyl acetate. The extracts are combined and concentrated in;

vacuo.

The 6 exomethylene-lfi t-methyl-1",4-pregnadiene 11,3,

17a,2l-txio1-3,20-dione is readily crystallized from the concentrate. Descending paper chromatography of the product in a system using formarnide as the stationary phase and chloroform as the mobile phaseyshowssome of the steroid substrate, but is largely and somewhat more polar A' dehydrogenation product.

The 16a-methyl 6-exomethylene-1.4-pregnad-iene-17a, 2l-diol-3,11,20-trione is prepared from the 16a-methy1- 6 exomethylene 4-pregnenc-l7a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione following the above procedures, but starting with the 1611- methyl 6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-

r 17 trione in place of the 16a-methyl-6-exomethylene-4-pregnene-l1,3,17a-21-triol-3,20-dione.

Corynebacterium simplex (ATCC 6946) is inoculated from a slant to one or more 250 ml. shake flasks containing a medium having the composition: 1 g./ liter yeast extract (Difco). After an 18 hour growth phase at 28 C., mg. of 6-eXomethylene-16oz-methyl-4-pregnene- 115,17a,21-trione-3,20-dione-2l-acetate is added to each shake flask as a dimethylformamide solution (100 mg./ ml.). After a 24 hour transformation period at 28 C., the cells are centrifuged, followed by three ethyl acetate extracts of the cell-free broth. The extracts are combined and concentrated in vacuo. The 6-exomethylene-16amethyl 1,4-pregnadiene-11B,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione-21- acetate is crystallized directly from the concentrate. Paper chromatography of the product in a system utilizing formamide as the stationary phase and chloroformbenzene (1:1) as the mobile phase indicates that the product possesses a polarity slightly greater than the substrate.

The 160s methyl-6-exomethylene-1,4-pregnadiene-17m- 21-dio1-3,11,20-trione-21-acetate is prepared from the 16mmethyl 6-exomethy1ene-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20- trione-21-acetate following the above procedure, but starting with the 16a-methyl-6-exomethy1ene-4-pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione-21-acetate, in place of the 16amethyl 6-eXomethylene-4-pregnene-11l8,17c,21-triol-3,20- dione-21-acetate.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the annexed 18 claims, they are to be considered as part of our invention.

We claim:

1. Process for the preparation of 16a-methyl-6a-ethynyl 17a,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-B-ethylenedioxy- 5a-pregnane-6B-o1-11-one which comprises reacting 16amethyl 17a,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6,lldione with acetylene magnesium halide.

2. Process for the preparation of 16a-methyl-6-ethy nyl 17a,20,20,2l-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylcnedioxy-5- pregnene-ll-one which comprises reacting 16cz-m6tl1Yl-6aethynyl 17a,20,20,21 bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-5a-pregnane-6B-ol-1l-one with thionyl chloride.

3. Process for the preparation of 16a-methyl-6-([1,2]- ethanediol) 17u,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioXy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-l l-one which comprises reacting 16amethyl 6-vinyl-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3-ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-ll-one with osmium tetroxide.

4. Process for the preparation of 16a-methy1-6-formyl- 17a,20,2(),21 bis methy1enedioXy-3-ethylenedioXy-5 pregnene-ll-one which comprises reacting 16u-methyl-6- ([1,2] ethanediol)-17a,20,20,21-bis-methylenedioxy-3- ethylenedioxy-S-pregnene-1l-one with periodic acid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,935,511 Taub et a1 May 3, 1960 2,940,968 Sletzinger et a1. June 14, 1960 2,980,711 Colton Apr. 18, 1961 

1. PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 16A-METHYL-6A-ETHYNYL - 17A,20,20,21 - BIS-METHYLENEDIOXY-3-ETHYLENEDIOXY5A-PREGNANE-6B-OL-11-ONE WHICH COMPRISES REACTING 16AMETHYL - 17A,20,20,21 - BIS-METHYLENEDIOXY-3-ETHYLENEDIOXY-5A-PREGNANE-6,11 DIONE WITH ACETYLENE MAGNESIUM HALIDE. 